Transcript
County Road Maintenance Sales Tax Initiative
Proposition 403
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Background
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Coconino County maintains about 1,000 miles of roads About 2/3 are dirt and 1/3 paved About 2/3 are County-owned and 1/3 owned by USFS and 1/3 owned by BIA and maintained by the County through long-standing agreements
How We Got Here: The Gas Tax Challenge
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Board Spends Two Years Evaluating the Issue
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The Board spent over two years evaluating the issue and options for addressing what would be over a $100 million deficit in 10 years if costs, and therefore services, were not reduced significantly. Over 16 Board work sessions Conducted two voter surveys & focus groups Secured an independent evaluation of the 320 miles of County-maintained paved roads Convened a Citizen Advisory Committee, which met 8 times and ultimately made a recommendation that the Board place a sales tax on the ballot for UP TO ½ cent for NO LESS THAN 10 years Reduced road maintenance costs by $2 million
Board Places Sales Tax on November Ballot
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Board decides to place 3/10 of a cent sales tax for 20 years on the November ballot If tax is approved by the voters, then: Allows County to support current road maintenance service level and avoid 40% reduction in service level (like going to only one shift of snow removal) Allows County to make much needed investments in paved road assets Continue to maintain roads on the Navajo Nation
Major Voter Education Effort
Over 125 Presentations Over 4 dozen open houses and
community meetings Almost a dozen Navajo Nation
Chapter meetings Extensive advertising & use of social
media Publications & Visuals Hundreds of letters
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READ SLIDE
Strong Voter Support
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City, County road taxes pass November 05, 2014
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The election results show strong voter support with about 65% of voters throughout the County in support of the measure. 69% of Flagstaff voters supported the measure. Strong support from all areas where we provide road maintenance services. Sales tax provides $6 to $7 million per year in revenue with roughly ½ going to routine road maintenance and about ½ going to capital investments in paved roads.
Implementation Has Begun
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With clear mandate from voters, the County is moving forward with implementation. Developing workforce plan to support routine road maintenance and Capital Improvement Plan investments Must continue efficiency efforts to retain $2 million in long-term savings First set of CIP pavement projects to be constructed this spring Negotiating agreements now with BIA on routine road maintenance and matching capital plan
Lessons Learned
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Lessons learned and what we see as our keys to success: Total team effort with major investment of time by the Board, County Manager & Public Works Staff Listening and communicating effectively with voters – do not take anything for granted!
County Road Maintenance Sales Tax Initiative
Proposition 403
Presenter
Presentation Notes
